Former champ Lorenzo opts for step-by-step approach

Former world champion Jorge Lorenzo hopes to build up pace with his red Ducati bike when he steps out for the season's first race at this week's Grand Prix of Qatar.
The affable and yet feisty Spaniard knows the switch from the blue of Yamaha to the red of Ducati is a pleasing thought but not so easy to manage.
Lorenzo, a three-time premier class champion, was just recently reminded by Ducati predecessor Andrea Iannone to expect a tougher transition in the way the Spaniard rides.
After initially struggling at Sepang testing in January, Lorenzo produced improved times at the Qatar testing less than two weeks ago.
“It’s a new era for me so I’m really looking forward to starting. Step by step and little by little, that’s how the preseason has been going and here in Qatar we made a big step forward, but more on one lap," Lorenzo said looking ahead to the week at Losail International Circuit.
"So our main goal before the race is to improve the pace little by little. The first day in Sepang was a little bit of a shock because I was used to being competitive from the beginning and it takes time, but on the final day I made a big step and was quite competitive," the 29-year-old added.
"Here in Qatar we’ve been much better so that makes me optimistic for the future," the Spaniard, with 44 MotoGP wins, said at the season's first press conference.
"But you never know what can happen," Lorenzo said during his testing at Losail International Circuit. "It depends on the conditions and lot of (other) things. The tyres will be important to us," he added.  
Meanwhile, Team Suzuki Ecstar’s new recruit Iannone, 27, was lightning fast at Sepang testing though the Italian struggled for a bit of pace at Phillip Island.
When asked about his goals in the new season, Iannone said: “Recovering the gap, and adjusting the bike and getting it to my style. We believe we have a lot of potential and we want to reduce the gap."
The Suzuki Ecstar star added: "At the moment it’s difficult because from the test we don’t have a great feeling; we didn’t get to a good compromise. The pace isn’t bad but isn’t so close to the top four or five. I hope to improve and fight at the top.”
British Independent Team rider Cal Crutchlow, who took two stunning victories last season, is pleased going into the new season after showing impressive form in pre-season testing.
“We’ve been quite pleased. At the moment it’s proving difficult to find the right balance but we’ve been quick at every track, which is good for me and the team," Crutchlow said.
"I don't think a motorcycle racer is ever uninjured…we’re always trying to be 100% fit, but when you throw yourself off these things as often as I did last year you’re never quite fully fit however hard you try!
"But it was nice to have a winter off for some family time, and now it’s great to be back. March gets your brain in racing mode," he 31-year-old added with his trademark smile.
Curtchlow, who experienced problems with electronics during the race, leading to a crash on the 7th lap in Qatar last year, tweeted yesterday: "I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do. Good luck and a safe year to all competitors."
Valentino Rossi's new team-mate at Yamaha, Maverick Vinales was raring to go after his impressive runs in pre-season testing.
Fastest in every test and immediately at home on the Yamaha, the young Spaniard said: “At the moment it’s only been preseason but we’ve found a good setup in all tests, on all tracks. So we’ll just try to bring that into the season. We improved the bike a lot over winter! The riding style change from Suzuki to Yamaha isn’t so different.”